Bonsai strong. One of many spectacular trees displayed at the recent BCI convention in China. This and all the photos in this post are courtesy of Robert Steven.
Pines now, the rest later. Robert Steven just sent us a whole host of great photos from the recent BCI convention in China. We’ll start with some powerful pines here, and then show you some of the other trees in a few days.
This has to be one of the most impressive pine forests anywhere. Actually, you can scratch the pine part and we’ll just leave it at one of the most impressive forests, period. Most of us would be more than delighted to have any one of these trees in our backyard, let alone the whole planting. Nice pot too. Looks a bit like an escarpment in the Rockies.
Another powerful trunk. This one accented by two whirling circles.
Looking up at this angle it’s easy to imagine you’re looking at some massive old-growth trees in the mountains somewhere.
I like the way this one doubles back on itself. Great taper on another powerful trunk too.
These sorta don’t look Chinese! Very dynamic styling. Good art. I have long thought a lot of Chinese traditional styling was sort of stagnant, but these look as if the mold has been broken.
Is that first forest a raft? If so, even more impressive.
You were not in tune Terry.
Chinese bonsai has being in amazing progress since the last 15 years, but not being well exposed till the last few years through agressive international events.
They are coming out with very creative and refreshing designs, ideas are no limit for them; and at the same time, I dare to say the Japanese are in stagnan.
I am anticipating the change of worldwide bonsai orientation that will turn to China…
BTW, the second picture is not a raft, but connecting roots.
Hi Robert and Terry,
I agree that Chinese bonsai is on a tear right now. It’s exciting and refreshing. Still, and even though Japanese bonsai may be a little quieter right now in terms of innovation, still the Japanese influence on the Chinese bonsai seems pretty obvious.
You are right Wayne. The Japanese influence is especially on certain technique (I’d say more by the Taiwanese as there are many Taiwanese trainers are working in China now), specifically on junipers; but the Chinese has their own design concept and phylosophy which will give a big influence worldwide.
I find cultural influences in bonsai very interesting; American/ italian/Japanese/Spanish. I too, had the 1st impression they didn’t seem too “Chinese”. Exciting that events are being held to showcase new techniques & points of view. My cousins in Vietnam have sent me many photographs since I’ve become interested in bonsai. Viet bonsai, the ones I’ve seen, are ornate & elaborate. A Vietnamese bonsai artist I’ve befriended online agrees. Though a small country, I wonder, has anyone noticed Vietnamese bonsai?
Maliea,
I have been traveling frequently to Vietnam recently for lectures and demo. Vietnamese bonsai is progressing extremely fast during the last few years in parallel with the growth of economic and living standard.
The interest in bonsai in Vietnam is amazing and unbelievable. I travel from the south of HCM city to the north of Hanoi, from the remote villages to the cities, every house with terrace (when I say every house, I mean ALMOST every house) always has bonsai.
The styles in the south and the north are totally different. The south (around HCM city) likes the landscape..specifically the water and land penjing and other deciduous species e.g. Wrightia and they don’t like ficus. In the contrary, in the north, they like BIG bonsai, specifically ficus.
They have their own style of ficus with wild aereal roots with unique pot. In few years to come, Vietnam will certainly be on the world bonsai map with their ficus as icon..they still need some times to improve their technique in forming ideal ramification.
Another amazing thing is their involvement in the internet because mostly are young people. They have an internet forum similar to IBC..and you won’t believe that there are always few thousands members online each day. If they don’t have the language barrier, I believe IBC forum will be dominated by Vietnamese members.
I am receiving dozens of friend requests from Vietnam each day although they don’t speak English, otherwise…
Hi Robert,
Thanks for helping us to catch up on what’s going on with bonsai in Vietnam. I’ll be looking for some good photos to post.
Also, I didn’t really want to overemphasize grotesque. The tree is simply too good to denigrate in that way. Besides, the seeming mouth and nose are, as I mentioned, simply projections. It’s really just a powerful, well-styled bonsai with a huge sabamiki.
Hi Wayne,
Will send you some photos from Vietnam.
Grotesque is not a negative term for Chinese, but as one of the many criteria in their bonsai design.